The UEFA Champions League is set to revolutionize its format for the 2024-2025 season, with a groundbreaking ‘league phase’ replacing the traditional group stage and an expansion to 36 teams. The draw for this new era of European football’s premier club competition will take place on August 29, 2024, in Monaco, utilizing a computer-generated system to determine each team’s eight opponents.Under the new format, all 36 teams will be placed in a single table, with each club facing eight different opponents – four at home and four away. The top eight teams in the overall standings will qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in a new knockout round playoff for the remaining spots in the round of 16.This restructuring aims to increase competition and excitement, but it has also raised concerns about player workload and the potential widening of the financial gap between clubs. UEFA expects the new format to generate approximately 4.4 billion euros in revenue per season for all European cup competitions. The winner of the tournament could receive up to 86 million euros in prize money, not including additional earnings from broadcasting rights.UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin defended the changes, stating, ‘We are convinced that this format will lead to a good balance and generate solid revenue’. However, some critics, including Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, have expressed concerns about the increased number of matches.The participating teams have been finalized and divided into four pots based on their UEFA club coefficients. Notable inclusions in the top pot are Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.As the football world prepares for this new chapter in Champions League history, the upcoming draw on August 29 will provide the first glimpse into how this revolutionary format will shape the landscape of European club football for the 2024-2025 season.
Key points
- UEFA Champions League introduces a new 36-team ‘league phase’ format for the 2024-2025 season.
- The draw will use a computer-generated system and take place on August 29, 2024, in Monaco.
- The new format aims to increase competition and revenue, but raises concerns about player workload and financial disparities.
- UEFA expects to generate 4.
4 billion euros in revenue per season from the new format.
Contradictions👾While UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin claims the new format will lead to ‘a good balance’, critics like Carlo Ancelotti express concerns about the increased number of matches.
